Charles Jones is a seasoned fisherman from Darien, Georgia, who has spent a significant part of his life in the commercial fishing industry. Born and raised in Darien, Jones began his fishing career at a young age, heading shrimp at the docks after school to earn money for his family's needs. Jones briefly left the fishing industry to serve in the Vietnam War, after which he returned to fishing with his father. He later bought his own boat and began running his own fishing operations. Jones also worked for the Georgia State Patrol for a period of time before buying his second boat. In addition to his fishing career, Jones served as the sheriff of his local area for sixteen years. Despite his duties as sheriff, he maintained his connection to the fishing industry by having a young man run his boat. Jones has a son whom he taught the fishing trade. His son later went on to work for a dredge company. Jones is passionate about passing on the fishing tradition to the younger generation and has made efforts to teach young people about the industry.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Charles Jones, conducted by Victoria Barrett and Julia Thomas on March 24, 2018, is part of the Fishing Traditions and Fishing Futures Oral Histories of Commercial Fishing in Georgia Project. The interview provides a detailed account of Jones's life and career in the commercial fishing industry. Jones discusses his early life in Darien, Georgia, and his introduction to the fishing industry. He shares his experiences of heading shrimp at the docks after school and working on shrimp boats during the summer months. Jones also talks about his time in the Vietnam War and his return to fishing with his father. The interview also covers Jones's experiences of owning and operating his own fishing boats. He discusses the changes in fishing technology over the years, from wood hull boats to steel hull boats with freezers, and the introduction of radar, sonar equipment, depth recorders, and computers. Jones also shares his experiences as a sheriff and his efforts to teach the younger generation about the fishing industry. He expresses concern about the future of the industry and the need for young people to learn and carry on the fishing tradition. The interview provides valuable insights into the life and career of a commercial fisherman in Georgia, the changes in the fishing industry over the years, and the challenges and opportunities facing the industry's bottom line. But it's a lot of work, but it's worth it if you love what you're doing. Jones also discusses the challenges of the fishing industry, including the fluctuating market prices for shrimp and the impact of regulations on fishing practices. He talks about the introduction of the turtle excluder device and the fish excluder device to preserve marine life, and the impact of these devices on his fishing operations. The interview concludes with Jones expressing his love for fishing and his commitment to preserving the fishing tradition. He reflects on the changes in the industry over the years and his hopes for the future of the industry. The interview provides a rich and detailed account of Jones's life and career in the commercial fishing industry, offering valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of the fishing profession, the changes in the industry over the years, and the importance of preserving the fishing tradition for future generations.